P0456 on Nissan vehicles
EVAP Very Small Leak Detected — what it means on a Nissan, whether it's safe to drive, and the fixes by model and year.
P0456 on a Nissan means evap very small leak detected. Most vehicles stay drivable short-term, but diagnose it promptly. The most common cause is worn fuel cap o-ring or wrong-spec cap (typically $15–$60). Pick your Nissan model below for its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
What does P0456 mean on a Nissan?
P0456 is set when the EVAP system's very-small-leak monitor detects an opening approximately 0.020 inches (0.5 mm) or larger. This is finer than P0442 (0.040") and significantly harder to find — it can be a single pinhole, a hardened O-ring, or a hairline crack in a plastic component. The vehicle drives normally and there is rarely any fuel smell.
P0456 is a standardized OBD-II code, so its definition is the same on every Nissan. What differs by model and engine is which cause is most likely — pick your Nissan model below for a diagnosis tuned to its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Is it safe to drive a Nissan with P0456?
In most cases a Nissan stays drivable for short trips with P0456 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a low-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on the model and engine.
What causes P0456 on a Nissan?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Worn fuel cap O-ring or wrong-spec cap | Most common | $15–$60 |
| Aged or cracked EVAP hose elbows and quick-connect O-rings | Common | $30–$200 |
| Hairline crack in the charcoal canister body | Common | $200–$600 |
| Leaking EVAP purge valve seat (small internal leak only) | Occasional | $80–$300 |
| Fuel tank pressure sensor O-ring hardened | Occasional | $30–$150 |
| Pinhole at the fuel tank top — visible only with smoke or dye | Rare | $300–$1,200 |
Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by Nissan model, model year, and labor rate. A diagnostic trouble code is a symptom, not a guaranteed failed part — confirm the root cause before replacing anything.
P0456 by Nissan model
Select your Nissan model and year for a P0456 diagnosis tuned to that vehicle's failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Nissan Altima
823 NHTSA owner complaints · 7 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Nissan Sentra
484 NHTSA owner complaints · 5 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Nissan Rogue
1,132 NHTSA owner complaints · 13 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Complaint and recall counts are NHTSA totals for the model years covered on this site, not counts specific to P0456.
P0456 on other makes
Other codes on Nissan vehicles
P0456 on a Nissan: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0456 mean on a Nissan?
P0456 is set when the EVAP system's very-small-leak monitor detects an opening approximately 0.020 inches (0.5 mm) or larger. This is finer than P0442 (0.040") and significantly harder to find — it can be a single pinhole, a hardened O-ring, or a hairline crack in a plastic component. The vehicle drives normally and there is rarely any fuel smell. P0456 is a standardized OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on every Nissan — which cause is most likely varies by model and engine.
What are the symptoms of P0456 on a Nissan?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Almost never any drivability complaint. Rarely any noticeable fuel smell (leak is too small). Vehicle will fail emissions / smog testing
What causes P0456 on a Nissan?
Worn fuel cap O-ring or wrong-spec cap (most-common). Aged or cracked EVAP hose elbows and quick-connect O-rings (common). Hairline crack in the charcoal canister body (common). Leaking EVAP purge valve seat (small internal leak only) (occasional). Fuel tank pressure sensor O-ring hardened (occasional). Pinhole at the fuel tank top — visible only with smoke or dye (rare)
Is it safe to drive a Nissan with P0456?
In most cases a Nissan stays drivable for short trips with P0456 active, but it should be diagnosed and repaired promptly — this is a low-severity code. Ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on the model and engine.